Title:

THERMODYNAMIC MODELING OF COMBUSTION PROCESSES IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION AND BIOFUEL ENGINES

Author:

Sheikh Sameer1

Abstract:

The increasing demand for sustainable and efficient energy utilization has intensified research on internal combustion (IC) engines and alternative fuels such as biofuels. Thermodynamic modeling serves as a vital tool to analyze and optimize the complex combustion processes in IC and biofuel engines. This study presents a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of combustion, incorporating energy balance, entropy generation, and exergy analysis to evaluate engine performance and efficiency. Both conventional fossil fuels and biofuels, including biodiesel and ethanol, are analyzed to investigate their effects on cylinder pressure, temperature, work output, and emissions. The study employs zero-dimensional and quasi-dimensional modeling approaches to simulate combustion phenomena, considering heat release, flame propagation, and in-cylinder gas dynamics. Results demonstrate that biofuels exhibit lower calorific value and higher oxygen content, which affect peak pressure, thermal efficiency, and exergy losses. Despite slight reductions in engine efficiency, biofuels significantly reduce CO, HC, and particulate emissions, though NOx formation may increase due to higher combustion temperatures. The findings highlight the potential of thermodynamic modeling in designing optimized engines and developing sustainable fuel strategies while balancing efficiency, performance, and environmental considerations.

Keyword:

Thermodynamic modeling, Combustion processes, Thermal efficiency